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. 2018 Apr 18:71:11.
doi: 10.1186/s13620-018-0122-4. eCollection 2018.

Effect of pre-milking teat disinfection on new mastitis infection rates of dairy cows

Affiliations

Effect of pre-milking teat disinfection on new mastitis infection rates of dairy cows

David Gleeson et al. Ir Vet J. .

Abstract

Background: The practise of teat disinfection prior to cluster attachment for milking is being adopted by farmers in Ireland, particularly where there are herd issues with new infection rates. Pre-milking teat disinfection has been shown to reduce bacterial numbers on teat skin and to be most effective against environmental bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Streptococcus uberis. A split udder design experiment was undertaken on two research herds (A = 96 cows: B = 168 cows) to test the benefit of pre-milking teat disinfection on new mastitis infection levels. The disinfectant was applied to the left front and right hind teats of all cows in each herd and the right front and left hind teats received no disinfectant treatment prior to milking over a complete lactation. Individual quarter foremilk samples were taken on 5 occasions during the lactation and all clinical cases were recorded. The presence and number of staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria on teat skin of a random sample of experimental cows (n = 20) was measured on 3 occasions during lactation (April, June, and October).

Results: Pre-milking teat disinfection had no significant impact on quarter SCC and new infection rates (P > 0.05). The median SCC was 169 (95% CI = 144-198) × 103 cells/mL and 170 (95% CI = 145-199) × 103 cells/mL for disinfected teats and non-disinfected teats, respectively. There were no differences in SCC observed between herds (A = 161 (95% CI = 127-205) × 103 cells/mL; B = 169 (95% CI = 144-198) × 103 cells/mL) over the complete lactation. Bacterial levels on teat skin were reduced significantly with pre-milking teat disinfection compared to teats receiving no disinfectant (P < 0.001). Total infections (clinical and sub-clinical) were similar for disinfected teats (n = 36) and not disinfected teats (n = 40), respectively. Staphylococcus aureus (n = 47) and Strep. uberis (n = 9) were identified as the predominant bacteria in quarter foremilk samples with both clinical and sub-clinical infections.

Conclusion: SCC and new infection rates were similar in non-disinfected teats and disinfected (pre-milking) teats. The routine application of pre-milking teat disinfectant in pasture-grazed herds is unlikely to be of benefit where herd SCC is below 200 × 103 cells/mL.

Keywords: Dairy cows; Somatic cell count; Teat condition; Teat disinfection.

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Conflict of interest statement

This study was undertaken with license under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876 (ref B100/445).The authors of this study have no competing interests.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Median somatic cell count from two herds and for two pre-milking teat disinfection treatments. Median somatic cell count (× 103 cells/mL) from two herds (A, B) and for two pre-milking teat disinfection treatments (PTD: that received pre-milking teat disinfectant and NPTD: did not receive disinfectant) at five sampling points during lactation. Sample points: 1 = post-calving (Feb/March), 2 = May, 3 = July, 4 = August, 5 = October. Error bars show the 95% confidence intervals

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